Of course! Southern Style Cheeseburger Pie is a beloved, old-fashioned comfort food dish. It’s essentially a deconstructed cheeseburger baked into a savory, hearty pie—often with a delicious baking mix crust (like Bisquick) that forms its own top layer as it bakes.
Here’s a classic, foolproof recipe that delivers on that down-home flavor.
Classic Southern Cheeseburger Pie
This is the traditional method, often made with a simple Bisquick crust.
Ingredients:
For the Meat Filling:
· 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best for flavor)
· 1 medium onion, finely chopped
· 1 clove garlic, minced
· 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
· ½ teaspoon salt
· ¼ teaspoon black pepper
· 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (helps thicken the juices)
For the “Crust” and Topping:
· 1 cup milk
· 2 large eggs
· ½ cup baking mix (like Bisquick or Jiffy mix)
· 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
For Garnish (Optional):
· Sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cooked and crumbled bacon
Instructions:
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9-inch pie plate well.
- Cook the Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for one more minute. Spread this mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared pie plate.
- Sprinkle with Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the hot meat mixture.
- Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until smooth. Add the baking mix, salt, and pepper. Whisk until mostly smooth (a few small lumps are okay).
- Assemble and Bake: Carefully pour the topping mixture over the meat and cheese in the pie plate. It will seem liquidy, but that’s correct—it will puff up and bake into a delicious crust.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Add Final Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top and bake for another 2-3 minutes, just until melted.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pie stand for 5-10 minutes before cutting into wedges. This allows the layers to set. Serve with classic burger toppings like pickles, diced tomato, and shredded lettuce on the side or on top.
From-Scratch Version (No Baking Mix)
If you don’t have a baking mix, you can easily make a simple crust.
Replace the topping ingredients with:
· ½ cup all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· 1 cup milk
· 2 eggs
Instructions: Whisk the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk the milk and eggs. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and use as directed in the recipe above.
Why This Recipe Works (The Magic):
· The Self-Forming Crust: The liquid topping mixture sinks through the cheese and meat slightly, then puffs up around it as it bakes, creating a soft, dumpling-like crust that is incredibly comforting.
· Simple Ingredients: It uses pantry staples to create a complete, satisfying meal.
· Customizable: It’s a perfect base for adding your favorite burger flavors.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Pie:
· Don’t Skip Draining the Grease: Draining the beef after browning is crucial to prevent a greasy pie.
· The Flour is Key: The tablespoon of flour mixed with the meat helps absorb any remaining juices and prevents the bottom from becoming watery.
· Get Creative with Add-Ins:
· Western Style: Add ¼ cup finely diced bell pepper to the beef while cooking.
· Bacon Cheeseburger: Mix in ½ cup of cooked, crumbled bacon with the beef.
· Spicy Kick: Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the meat or the topping mixture, or use Pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar.
· Make it a “Crustless” Quiche (Low-Carb): Simply omit the baking mix and flour. Increase the number of eggs to 4 and use only ½ cup of milk. The texture will be more like a firm, cheesy quiche, but it’s still delicious.
What to Serve With It:
This is a full meal in a pie, but it pairs wonderfully with:
· A simple side salad with French dressing.
· Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli.
· Crispy tater tots or sweet potato fries on the side.
Enjoy your Southern-style comfort food feast